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The European Point of use Drinking Water Association (EPDWA) has recently released a statement in response to the Cryptosporidiosis outbreak in the Daventry, Northampton and Rugby areas supplied by Anglian Water.

Further to the initial advice for members to contact all customers and isolate the point of use (POU) machines in the affected areas and replace filters when the outbreak is over, the association has issued an additional statement.

Discussions with Water UK and the section of Health Protection Agency (HPA) who are advising Anglian Water on the management of the boil water order, have concluded that certificated POU filters are an acceptable alternative to the boil water order.

These are filters that have guaranteed certificated removal of parasite cysts, specifically those certificated to give in excess of 99% of parasite cysts. HPA have confirmed that Northants Boil Water Order is solely because of cryptosporidium and does not include any other microbiological issues.

For this reason EPDWA recommend that POU suppliers supplying customers with certificated filters, such as the NSF 53 for cyst removal, inform them of this advice. The fact, that it is safe for customers to continue to use their coolers as a source of drinking water in this instance, is particularly important in places like schools which may have to shut down if they do not have a supply of drinking water. As Anglian Water is talking about the incident taking weeks to resolve then this is highly significant.

If uncertificated filters or those to lesser specification have been used then the Boil Water Order still stands.